Bat Colony
- May 27, 2004
- Rated 5 of 5 by
lorrainemarie from Indianaolis, Indiana
You arrive just before sunset. People sit in on blankets by the river and wait for the bats to come out from beneath the bridge. When they emerge, it is a like a huge swarm and you can barely see the Austin sky. This occurance has been featured on the Discovery Channel and Animal Planet.
From journal The Bat Bridge in Austin, TX
Editor Pick
Bat Watching
- October 20, 2000
- Rated 4 of 5 by
Mermaid from Austin, Texas
A discussion of Town Lake would not be complete without a word about the bats. Between April and October, North America’s largest urban colony of Mexican free-tailed bats make Austin their home. More specifically, they live under the Congress Avenue Bridge and can be heard squealing as you walk under it. Hundreds of people gather on the bridge or shores to watch the colony, literally millions of bats, leave in a swarm at dusk to devour mosquitoes and other insects. The Austin America Statesman has set up a grassy beach and informational stand for viewing from the south side of the bridge. Another way to watch the bats is from your table at the Shoreline Grill. August is the prime month for viewing.
From journal Town Lake